Write a reflection on personal leadership

SECTION I – Personality and Self-Concept

To be a well-rounded leader, I feel that it is important to have excellent organizational and customer service skills. My strengths are just that, being well organized and being a people person. Having excellent customer service skills is important to me because you must have a positive and open atmosphere. With an open and positive atmosphere, your employees will feel more comfortable to come and talk to you about any problem or situation they may have. In management, I see this as a key factor to becoming an excellent leader. Organization is another key factor. Being well organized, you can put everything into perspective.

When you are organized and have everything in place, you feel more confident in your job as a leader. It frees up more time to be there for your employees and to deal with any unexpected situations that may come up. As a leader having self-confidence and being positive can be inspiring to others around you. When you generate that positiveness to your employees around you, they feel more motivated to do their best. Although I talk about self-confidence as being inspiring to others, I also lack confidence when it comes to my written communication. Written Communication I feel is important as a leader. In particular one may need to be able to come up with well-written proposals, and informal and formal letters. For my written communication, I feel that taking English can improve my grammar and mechanical errors and I will become a better writer. Being overly emotional is also an area of improvement that needs work. As a leader, you can’t get too invested in your employee’s situation. I am learning how to deal with my emotions. I am also learning how to think first about the situation without getting emotional involved. If need be, I can take a breath and step away so that I may clear my head and come up with the best possible solution.

My leadership test, I tested high for “emotional intelligence.” According to having “emotional intelligence” skill, I can recognize not only my feeling but others that are around me, which in return can create healthy relationships.

SECTION II – Human Interaction Skills

Communication or “soft skills“ as it is often called is one skill that is used in personal management. It can be the one single most important skill; communication has a lot of impact on how one sees you. Communication, whether it be verbal or non-verbal, is highly effective in management. To be able to show expression, body language and convey different emotions and feelings can be perceived as a personable human. Having effective communication can build up positive social relationships. In management, you need to be able to engage with others. You must be able to be open-minded so that you can create trust and respect amongst each other. Having effective communication skills allows for your employees to fill more trustworthy of you so that they be able to come up to you with anything that is affecting them. With open communication, brings positive vibes and motivation throughout the workplace. Your employees will be able to engage with you in confidence and freely give you their feedback or input when it comes to work and work- related situations. By being involved the employees will feel more valuable to the company. When you feel worthy, you are more likely to be more productive, motivated and positive.

Adaptability is another skill used in personal management. As a manager or even as an employee you must be able to adapt to different situations. You need to be able to relate to those that are different from you and have different interest. Being adaptable will help you fit into your company’s culture. You can be a better person for it and get along with co-workers better. This skill can bring much positiveness and motivation. Being able to get along with all and see their opinions for what they are without judgment brings a positive atmosphere. It’s like communication; then you have highly motivated employees. Having a positive workplace can impact the productivity of the company in an efficient manner. Adaptability can create incredible team dynamics by bringing everybody together.

SECTION III – Personal Development Plan (Philosophy of Leadership)

My leadership is geared towards a democratic leadership, so of course, my leadership philosophy will only be the same. Taking human relations has opened my eyes to so many new things, that I did not know I had inside of me. I still have little doubt, but I am much more confident that I can become a great leader. This experience has helped me be more positive towards my outlook on my future. I think pointing out my weakness and strengths has made me more aware of the things that I need to work on and the things that I can build on. Example my confidence, being more motivated, my written communication skills, excelling in my verbal communication skills and improving my interpersonal skills. As I continue to grow, I will build on my leadership philosophy, but for now, my philosophy what will consist of who I am as a person and what is important to me as a person and a leader. My philosophy will also include my values and beliefs.

My leadership philosophy: I believe in excellent communication skills, being an active listener, practicing patience and having a stress-free environment. I will be open-minded and have empathy towards my employees so that they can come to me with anything that is on their mind. I will be well organized and have smart time management skills. I would instill that everyone sees the good in others and to help those in need by encouraging them with positive reinforcement. There will be a positive atmosphere so that everyone will fill motivate to work and do their best. I will lead always trying to do my best to respond rather that react with my emotions. I will practice adaptability and interpersonal skills so that there can be good team dynamics. I am new to all of this, and I am sure throughout, my philosophy will change here and there, I am grateful to this class for getting a good start on what I want to be as a leader.

Section IV – Relevant Goals

Goal #1: Motivation: Work on my motivation skills, so that I can motivate others.

What are action steps I can take to achieve this goal? One step that I can take is to believe in myself and the vision that I create. In believing in myself will convince others to believe in their self and be motivated to move forward with their vision.

What are potential obstacles I may face when working toward achieving this goal? The potential obstacles that I may face are not setting a good example and not being able to motivate those to come together and do excellent work for their company.

What is my plan to overcome these potential obstacles? My plan would be to do my best so that I can motivate those around me. By doing my best and feeling confident in myself will motivate those to do their best.

Goal #2: Adaptability: To enhance my adaptability.

What are action steps I can take to achieve this goal? With adaptability comes patience. I will need to have patience so that I can adapt to all the different situations that surround me. Not everyone is going to have the same views as me, everyone is different, and everybody has different interest. So, in practicing patience, I will be able to adapt quickly.

What are potential obstacles I may face when working toward achieving this goal? In losing my patience, I may suffer stress. When you are stressed, you may project a negative environment. What is my plan to overcome these potential obstacles?

My plan would be to step back, take a breath when I feel things are becoming overwhelming so that I do not stress out and lose my patience.

Goal #3: Emotional Intelligence: To become more aware of my emotional intelligence.

What are action steps I can take to achieve this goal? I can enhance my ability to relate to others and let them know that I do understand their situation. I can be more attentive and be aware of their feelings and ask thoughtful questions so that I am considerate towards them.

What are potential obstacles I may face when working toward achieving this goal? An obstacle that I may face is coming off too strong. Not practicing my active listening to the point that I am not aware of their feelings or emotions.

What is my plan to overcome these potential obstacles? My plan is to listen better and to read their body language so that they do know that I do understand. Also, I want to be empathic towards my employees